CBB Stock Market: February 14-16

Looking for something else on Sports News on Tap, I found a gem called 'CBB Stock Market' which highlighted what happened on the weekend of college hoops. Sometimes I will use this space for a longer form recap, but mostly, it will be a subheading. 

BUY BUY BUY 

UConn Huskies - People really should take a look at the Huskies' resume right now. They have only lost four games in conference with UConn winning the last seven of eight. Shabazz Napier had 34 points in an overtime win against Memphis on Saturday putting them in position to have a chance at taking the AAC crown. Huskies still have home games against SMU and Cincinnati with a road trip to Louisville in the final weekend of the season. This is a team that can make a run into the tournament with their guard play and solid interior play as well. Keep an eye on these Huskies.

Florida Gators - Even though they are number two in the nation, it is pretty clear this is the number one team in the nation. Florida won both at Tennessee and Kentucky this week including holding their guard against the Wildcats in the second half. In another year of parity, this is the best team in the nation without question. They have the leadership, size and guard play to get Billy Donovan his third National Championship. Just because they play in the weak SEC means virtually nothing to me. They can play with everyone in the league. I would be interested to see what their record would look like if they were at full strength for the year.

Nebraska Cornhuskers - How about Tim Miles? He has made people believers in Nebraska basketball for maybe the first time ever. They earned a road win against Michigan State on Sunday making the Huskers 6-6 in Big Ten conference with some people thinking they might have NCAA Tournament aspirations. It is not unrealistic at this point with them playing five of their last seven at home with their only difficult game being against Wisconsin in the final game of the season. They have road games against Illinois and Indiana. I mean Nebraska does have a chance here. It is probably unrealistic but as JP said from Angels in the Outfield, 'It could happen.'

HOLD HOLD HOLD

Close calls at home - Three teams in the top 15 nearly lost at home this week. One of them did with Michigan State. Duke beat Maryland by two points with a bad call at the end of the game. St. Louis escaped VCU at home but granted, that would not have been a bad home loss. Syracuse needed a game-winning steal at the end of the game to beat NC State. It is that time of the year when teams are desperate needing a win meaning home upsets are going to happen every now and again.

Michigan State Spartans - Everyone is pointing out the fact they are 3-4 in their last seven games, but this team is not healthy at all. This feels like the classic team that gets hot at the right time and makes its way to the Final Four. Tom Izzo did this before with teams, and let's not forgot, this is a real good team unit when they are all at full strength. Keith Appling and Branden Dawson will be back for the month of March and if the injury bug is done with Michigan State, they are dangerous as anyone. Not that you care my power rankings for March right now would be... Florida, Michigan State (IF healthy), Syracuse, Kansas and Arizona.

SELL SELL SELL 

Pac-12 officials - Just a horrible display of officiating in the Arizona-Arizona State game. Jim Burr would be proud. Jahii Carson put an exclamation point on Arizona State's double-overtime win, but he hung at the rim for at least five or six seconds. Fans also rushed the court early, but technically that was not a technical which I have no idea why. Carson should have gotten the technical meaning Arizona getting two shots and the ball back with under one second left. Wildcats might not have won the game, but they still got screwed overall. Kind of hoping we get a rematch of these two teams in the Pac-12 Tournament so Arizona can give them a 'Ball Don't Lie.'  

Pittsburgh Panthers - A dirty little secret about this team is they have not beat anyone this year worth a dam. They had close losses to Syracuse and North Carolina, but close losses only count in horseshoes. Looking at Pitt, their best win might be their road win against NC State... YIKES. That's not good at all. They honestly do not play a tough team for the rest of the season unless you call Florida State at home a tough game. Pitt will need to do some work in the ACC Tournament to get a better seed because when it all comes down to it, Pitt could be looking at an eight to ten seed.  

GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK 
Tuesday: 9. Villanova at Providence 6:00 pm FOX Sports 1, 19. Texas at 17. Iowa State 6:00 pm ESPN2
              18. Kentucky at Ole Miss 6:00 pm ESPN

Wednesday: 11. Creighton at Marquette 7:00 pm FOX Sports 1,
                      4. Arizona at Utah 9:00 pm FOX Sports 1,
                    23. UCLA at California 9:30 pm Pac-12 Network 

Thursday: 5. Duke at North Carolina 8:00 pm ESPN, 25. Gonzaga at BYU 10:00 pm ESPN2

Charlie. 

Sportandfashion-news Bowl Predictions: Bowl Day Monday

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl 

Middle Tennessee State vs. Navy 10:45 am ESPN - When it comes to a mid-major team playing a bowl game. It is not really a good barometer to chrTennessee can run the football though. They are a top 25 rushing team in the country led by a balanced attack with multiple rushers. Navy knows a thing or two about running the football as they are second overall. Navy will wear you down. Midshipmen are hot heading into the bowl game as they have won five of their last six games. Blue Raiders are not great against the rush and that could spell big time trouble. If you are into betting on a Monday morning, I would say take Navy and never look back. NAVY 45-20  

Franklin Mortgage Music City Bowl

Ole Miss vs. Georgia Tech 2:15 pm ESPN - Honestly, this is the best game of the day. I realize there are a lot of big name teams on this day, but they both have chances to be blowouts. This one I think you can get a close game out of them. We know Georgia Tech's story. They are going to try and run the ball working down a team. Yellow Jackets also have a pretty stout defense meaning even if the offense stalls a bit, the d can keep them in the game. Ole Miss' offense has been a problem as of late. Against Mississippi State and Missouri, they have a combined 20 points. Bo Wallace needs to be better if this team expects to win today. In the last two games, Wallace does not have a touchdown and four interceptions with under 230 yards of passing. I am better on Bo and the SEC here with Ole Miss taking advantage of a late turnover and winning this football game. OLE MISS 21-17 

Valero Alamo Bowl 

Texas vs. 10.) Oregon 5:45 pm ESPN - This is Mack Brown's swan song. People think maybe Longhorns will be inspired and they will fight for Mack leading to a stunning Texas victory. That's not happening. Oregon might not be the most focused team in all of the land, but I doubt they will come out sluggish especially on the defense end. Mack is not the only one coaching his last name as Nick Ailoto, Oregon's defensive coordinator, is coaching his last game as well. Further, I do not think a fresh Marcus Mariota will be a pleasant experience for the Longhorns. It will be close for three quarters, but Ducks wear them down in the fourth leading to a blowout on paper. OREG 42-27

National University Holiday Bowl 
14.) Arizona State vs. Texas Tech 9:15 pm ESPN - I really want this game to be a high-scoring shootout where we have a ton of fun, and it will be great for those who are going out the night before New Years Eve (Amateur hour if you do not). But sadly, it will not be given Arizona State is one of the better teams in football right now. No one really talks about the Sun Devils and their success this year which is a shame. Arizona State has won seven of their last eight and even without star running back Marion Grice, I think this team will be dominant in their performance against Texas Tech. Nothing against the Red Raiders but they have fallen off a cliff lately. They look in worst shape than Justin Bieber right now. They have not won a game since October 19th. I cannot ride with my main man Kliff Kingsbury in this one. Texas Tech heading to San Diego for only the nice weather unfortunately. ASU 52-14

Bowl Record: 10-5

Charlie.